Créé en 1996, le TCSPS a remplacé deux programmes de transferts fédéraux: le financement des programmes établis, le FPE, qui couvrait l'assurance-santé, l'assurance-hospitalisation et l'enseignement postsecondaire, ainsi que le Régime d'assistance publique du Canada, le RAPC, qui couvrait les services sociaux.
The CHST was established in 1996 and replaced two federal transfer programs: the Established Programs Financing, the EPF, which covered health and hospitalization insurance and post-secondary education, as well the Canada Assistance Program, the CAP, which covered the social services.